The title itself was intriguing enough but the first paragraphs of the introduction set the tone and sealed the deal.

"Blame it on the Cabernet. We meThe title itself was intriguing enough but the first paragraphs of the introduction set the tone and sealed the deal.

"Blame it on the Cabernet. We met to share libations and laughter, but in less than an hour had outlined a book. We'd capitalize on our proven talents for drinking and our evolving talents for writing, while incorporating a literary flair by including 16 famous female authors. Game on.

We agreed to write and exchange chapters for eight weeks and publish the book within four months. Such goals are easy to set after swilling a few bottles of wine."

So with that introduction we sit down with various spirits and such famous women authors as Willa Cather, the Bronte Sisters, Louisa May Alcott and Ayn Rand. The chapters are fun, humorous, irreverent and best of all informative. I had never read Cather, or Rand, or Plath and this book piqued my interest and provided a convenient bibliography in the final chapter to inform future book choices.

I LOVED "Drinking With Dead Women Writers" and I'm looking forward to when the sequel "Drinking with Dead Drunks" becomes available on the kindle. ...more

Maxwell's Closet is a well written fantasy novel about young Maxwell, described as "a remarkably ordinary child, whose classmates regarded him as rathMaxwell's Closet is a well written fantasy novel about young Maxwell, described as "a remarkably ordinary child, whose classmates regarded him as rather dull" and his amazing adventure one incredible night when the door to his closet was thrown open from within and he was taken away into another world, one of orcs, knights, wizards, battles, loss and victory. Whether the world he encountered was a dream or an alternate reality, Max woke changed. Maxwell's closet is a quick read at only 150 pages and a wonderful adventure for the young (or young at heart) fan of fantasy. I look forward to more from Steven Belskie. ...more

If I had an unlimited supply of money I would order this book by the case and pass it out to everyone I know. Timothy Kurek's account of his year liviIf I had an unlimited supply of money I would order this book by the case and pass it out to everyone I know. Timothy Kurek's account of his year living with the label "Gay" is one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever encountered of the reality of God's continuing ability to change hearts and minds about "the Other" as well as a powerful rebuke to those of us within the Christian church about how we treat those with whom we disagree. In the tradition of "Black Like Me", Tim's immersion in the GLBTQ world in the city of Nashville, Tennessee is a fascinating read. I highly recommend it. ...more

Tammy Knox's YA Novel "Trapped on the Titanic" was a wonderfully fun read. Part ghost story, part mystery, part historical fiction this will appeal toTammy Knox's YA Novel "Trapped on the Titanic" was a wonderfully fun read. Part ghost story, part mystery, part historical fiction this will appeal to a broad audience. 8th Grader Callie Elizabeth is surprised to see a photograph in the Titanic exhibit of a little girl who looks just like her. She is even more surprised when the girl in the photo begins to cry and she hears a voice begging her to help. The mystery unfolds as Callie learns that she had an ancestor who perished on the Titanic...the very same little girl in the picture...who continues to appear and lead Callie to clues about her family history and the truth about what happened to the young girl and her father who were trapped on the Titanic. ...more

Today is the 100th anniversary of the day that the Titanic set sail. Earlier this week I began reading Hazel Gaynor's wonderful book "The Girl Who CamToday is the 100th anniversary of the day that the Titanic set sail. Earlier this week I began reading Hazel Gaynor's wonderful book "The Girl Who Came Home", one of three Titanic related novels I have stored on my Kindle to be enjoyed this week. The other two will be hard pressed to surpass this one.

The Girl Who Came Home is written from the perspective of Maggie Murphy who we meet as a 17 year old on the morning of April 10, 1912 in the fictional town of Ballysheen preparing to embark on her journey to America on the great ship Titanic. The story is told as a series of vignettes from the perspectives of herself, "Lucky" Harry the ship's 3rd class steward, and others who were aboard. It is intertwined with the story of her great-grandaughter, Grace, who she confides in for the first time in 70 years that she was aboard the Titanic and that she survived one of the greatest maritime disasters in history before or since.

The novel will appeal to those who enjoy memoir (it is written somewhat in that style though fictional), historical fiction and historical romance. It is a beautifully written, respectful telling of the story of Titanic from a personal perspective. It honors the memory of a group from County Mayo, Ireland known as the "Addergoole Fourteen" whose true story inspired this telling. Irish freelance journalist and blogger Hazel Gaynor has set herself a high standard in this her first novel and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. ...more

I was really excited about Timecachers being into both alternate history and geocaching and the book certainly didn't disappoint. I was surprised by tI was really excited about Timecachers being into both alternate history and geocaching and the book certainly didn't disappoint. I was surprised by the setting of the story's alternate history being the days before the beginning of the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from Georgia...known as the trail of tears. I was captured by the story and didn't want to put my kindle down until I found out what happened. I look forward to more books along this line from this author as the book would be an obvious choice for the beginning of a series. ...more

I thoroughly enjoyed the "Stories for Demented Children" series. They were original and humorous and I believe that our black bunny, "Magic", is probaI thoroughly enjoyed the "Stories for Demented Children" series. They were original and humorous and I believe that our black bunny, "Magic", is probably secretly an emo bunny. I can't wait to share these with my 14 year old daughter....more

I really enjoyed Lori Cullwell's "The Dirt"...the four sisters were well written and believable, especially Lucy whose voice we hear the story throughI really enjoyed Lori Cullwell's "The Dirt"...the four sisters were well written and believable, especially Lucy whose voice we hear the story through. Every girl who has survived high school has known a Megan, a Lucy, a Sloan and will surely recognize someone in "The Dirt"...perhaps even themselves. ...more

I had the complete Bio of a Space Tyrant series as a college student and I was thrilled to discover that they were available on Kindle. As a young colI had the complete Bio of a Space Tyrant series as a college student and I was thrilled to discover that they were available on Kindle. As a young college student I didn't pick up on the political subtext to the story...the parallel to the plight of the "boat people" under the policies of Reagan...I was just caught up in the tragic adventure of young Hope Hubris and his family. While the Space Tyrant series is quite dark, especially compared to Piers Anthony's other series, it remains a great read. I am getting a good deal more out of it in my 40's than I did in my 20's and I look forward to continuing to read the series. ...more

Now that the demands of the sandwich generation mean that the responsibility of ageing parents-in-law have been added to the responsibility of raisingNow that the demands of the sandwich generation mean that the responsibility of ageing parents-in-law have been added to the responsibility of raising my family the title "In Search of Balance" immediately caught my eye. I have read, and am reading, a number of similar books and I got more helpful information out of "In Search for Balance" than any of the others so far. My kindle copy is covered in yellow highlights and notes. I will refer to it frequently I'm sure. ...more

This is a thoroughly enjoyable collection of short stories. If your interests are Sci-Fi, Steampunk, Dark Fantasy or even Crime/Mystery there is sometThis is a thoroughly enjoyable collection of short stories. If your interests are Sci-Fi, Steampunk, Dark Fantasy or even Crime/Mystery there is something here for you. Allan is a wonderful and creative writer and I highly recommend his short story collection either in paperback or for your kindle. I liked it so much I have it in both versions. ...more

I expected this to be a light read, wow was I surprised. Barbara Silkstone's interviews of over 500 men revealed both a desire for intimacy and a compI expected this to be a light read, wow was I surprised. Barbara Silkstone's interviews of over 500 men revealed both a desire for intimacy and a complete inability to figure out how to acheive it. The burden Barbara picked up and carried for these men made for interesting reading but I don't envy her the experience of bearing it. ...more

I have had the pleasure of calling Troy D. Smith a friend since we were in middle school and I owned Bound for the Promise-Land in paperback when it fI have had the pleasure of calling Troy D. Smith a friend since we were in middle school and I owned Bound for the Promise-Land in paperback when it first came out. I hadn't re-read it in years but when it came out for kindle it was one of my first purchases. Troy has a true gift for historical fiction...his characters, whether fictional or factual, are believable and fully "human" in the best sense of the word. Alfred Mann is one of my favorite characters. His evolution throughout the book is compelling. His search for his own humanity, for what it means to be "a man", for where God is in all he has endured, for what it means to be truly free is something anyone who has experienced love and loss, hurt and injustice can identify with. I highly recommend this book. ...more